Floor-dressing machine.



No;89&488. ?ATENTED.JULY'14,1908L G.F.HALL,

FLOOR DRESSING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 26, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

MINE-885s.- Ill VENUE? I PATENTED JULY 14, 1909-. G. F. HALL. FLOOR DRESSING/MACHINE. APPLIOA'QION FILED FEB. 26, 1907.

2 SHEETS-'SHBET 2.

L-QJ WITNESSES GEORGE FREDERIC HALL, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

FLOOR-DRESSING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 14, 1908.

application filed February at, 1907. Serial No. 359,483.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE FREDERIC HALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Floor-Dressing Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

Like reference numerals parts.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved floor-dressing machine in operative position.

i Fig. 2-is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3

is a top plan view of a portion of the machine, showing the means of adjusting the osition of the frame on its bearings. Fig. 4 1s a side elevation of a modified form of my improved floor-dressing machine in operative position. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the same.

My invention relates to machines for abrading, surfacing, dressing and finishing floors in position, and it consists of the novel construction and combination of the several parts as hereinafter described and specifically set forth in th claims.

Floors, as they are left by the floor-layers, are in a rough, unfinished condition. There are always irregularities and unevenness in the surface, especially along the joints. It frequently happens that, in wooden floors some of the boards project considerably abo e. the general level. In providing means for reducing such irregular and uneven floors to a failed or uniform surface, the devices or 'l1CCll2tnlSHls,i which are employed, must be capable of such adjustment and control as to confine the operation as closely as may be to such portions of the floor as require to be reduced in order that the results may be obtained quickly and with but little exertion on the part of the operator.

The purposes of my invention are to improve floor-dressing machines so that they may quickly bring the floor operated upon to the desired surface; to provide adjusting means whereby the proper degree of pressure upon the dressing tool may be quickly obtained; to provide for such a machine a stable base so that it will rest in equilibrium upon and in rolling contact with the floor, whether the machine is in operation or not, without dependence upon the dressing tool itself as a support; to provide for such a machine means of propulsion over a floor, which indicate like.

means also serve to control the initial contact of the abrading tool with the floor and to control it or not throughout its contact with the floor at the will of the operator, and finally to mount an abrading tool on said stable base so that said tool is free to rise and fall vertically in its progress overthe floor in contact therewith, while directly held in contact with the floor by the weight of the machine itself and without the use of levers, or other devices, for maintaining such contact.

In the accompanying-drawings the floor surface, which is operated upon, is designated as X..

, As seenin Figs. 1 and 2 the truck 1 of the machine is supported in rolling contact with the floor by two wheels 2, which are rotatably mounted on the axle 3, and also by the wheel 4, which is rotatably mounted on the axle-5. The axles 3 and 5 are horizontal and arallel with each other and each of them as its bearings at both ends thereof in the truck 1. The side plates 6 of the truck 1 extend upwardly and carry a shaft 7, whose ends-serve as trunnions.

The shaft 7 is horizontal and is mounted on the shaft 7 and has .two pro-- jections or horns -9. The frame 8 has two downwardly projecting side pieces 10, which are mortised at'11. The under surface of these side lates or pieces is smooth to furnish a suitable caring. Plates or washers 12 are mounted on the shaft 7 to separate the side pieces 10 of the frame 8 from the upwardly rojecting side pieces 6 ofthe truck 1. The rame pivots horizontally freely on the shaft 7 bearing in the truck 1. To hold the frame 8 in osition on the shaft '7 a strap 13 is socure( on the frame 8 by screws or olts 14 in such manner that the slot formed by thccombination of the mortise 1 1 of the frame 8 and the stra 13 has parallel to and bottom edges, at apted to fit closely with the shaft 7, but to allow the frame 8 to rise and fall vertically on the shaft 7 as a pivot, and also to slide forward and backward on said shaft in said slots. This forward and backward movement is controlled by the device illustrated in Fig. 3. A screw 15 is threaded into and through a sleeve or tube 1.7 surrounding the shaft 7. This screw 15 passes loosely through the frame and adjacent thereto this screwhas an annular channel around its shank. i sl" 1 rd plate or thrust biock 15 engages said so loosely in the channel thereof and 1s a block 16, which extends from k I straps 13 and the-mortises of the side plates of the frame 8.

A rotatable floor-dressing roller or tool 21 is fastened upon a revoluble shaft 22. The shaft 22 is mounted in bearings 23 at the forward ends of the projections or horns 9. Each bearing 23 has an upwardly extending portion '24, tapped with oil ducts, and upon the top of each is an oil cup 25, from which oil passes to the hearings to lubricate the same. The bearings 23 are held in position in slots in the projections or horns 9 by wedge blocks 26 secured byscrews 27, threaded through the outer ends of the horns 9 and adapted to force and hold the bearings in such osition that the shaft 22 is parallel to the s aft 7 and to the axles 3 and 5. The shaft 22 at one end projects beyond the horn 9 and a pulley 28 is mounted fast on that end a 'of the shaft. The tool 21 may be any of the several known forms of horizontally revolving tools adapted to abrade, dress or polish a floor in position.

A motor 29 is secured to the frame 8 by bolts 30, and has a shaft 31 extending horizontally and. parallel to the shaft 22. A ulley 32 is mounted fast on the shaft 31. A belt 33 passes over the pulley 32 of the motor shaft 31 and over the pulley 28 of the tool shaft 22. A rheostat 34 is mounted on the frame of the motor 29 and is properly wired to the motor, but in order to avoid confusion in the drawing the wires are omitted. Flexible wires connect the rheostat with a source of electrical energy. The motor is so secured to the frame 8 by the bolts 30 as to allow of a forward and backward adjustment to tighten the belt 33.

A bail 35 is pivotally mounted upon bolts 36, extending from the truck 1, each of the ends 37" of the bail are curved and extend upwardly, and are thus adapted to bear up against the under surfaces of the side plates of the frame The bail 35 has a central socket to receive the lower end of a rod 38. At the upper end the rod 38 has a cross head or handle 39, by which the workman propels the machine.

Studs 40 and 41 project from the sides of the truck 1 on both sides thereof and serve as stops to limit the upward and downward movements of the ends 37 of the bail 35. The handle 39 is preferably weighted to give it sullicient weight so that the leverage thereby exerted will raise the tool or roller from the floor unless such leverage is overthe floor upon the wheels 2, 2 and 4 of the truck 1. At the same time he slowly raises the handle '39, thus causing the tool or roller 21 to come gradually into contact with the floor X, until said roller or tool bears'its full share of the weight of the machine, that is, the frame 8 and its superimposed parts are borne by the trunnions or ends of the shaft 7, according to the proportionate distance or leverage determined by the adjustment of the fra1ne'8 upon the shaft 7 by the screws 15, as already explained. The workman still continues to elevate the handle 39 until the ends 37 of the bail are wholly out of con tact with the frame 8. While he is thus gradually raising the handle 39, the machine is moving forward, being propelled by his push upon the handle 39, but afterthe ends 37 of the bail 35 have moved entirely out of contact with the side pieces of the frame 8, there is no variation in the downward pressure of the tool or roller 21 upon the fioor, as the thrust of the handle 39 is then borne entirely by the pivots or bolts 36 of the truck 1. As the machine approaches the end of its travel, that is, of the intended cut or opera tion, the workman reverses his method and gradually forces the handle 39 downward, thereby causing the tool or roller 21 to rise gradually out of contact with the floor, thus gradually reducing its pressure upon the floor until it wholly clears the same. Thus it is evident that while the tool or roller 21 is bearing its full proportionate part of the weight of the machine, as predetermined by the adjustment of the screw 15, the cut or abrasive action of the tool or roller 21 is uniform, because it is not affected to any degree by variation of pressure on the handle 39. By letting down the tool or roller 21 115 gradually and by raising it gradually, as ex- 'plained, it is seen that the cut gradually tapers toward the ends of the traverse. of the machine, and there are no rice and abru )t terminations of the cut, as woufd necessarily 12o result if the tool or roller 21 were put into or lifted out of contact with the floor instantaneously; The depth of the cut or extent of the abrasi e action of the tool or roller 21 is regulated, predetermined and fixed, as described, by the adjustment of the frame 8 upon the trunnions. This depth depends upon. the pressure of the tool or roller 2.1 upon the floor, and this pressure maybe light, or heavy, or of any desired degree but it is al Cir ways in proportion is the weight of the frame and the parts can .cd thereby, as regulated and predetermined by the adjustment effected by the screw 15 (Fig. 8), and such pressure is uniforn'ily maintained throughout the time of the full contact of the tool 21 with the floor.

Inasmuch as the truck 1 is adapted to support the machine in equilibrium, either when the tool is in contact with the floor or out of contact with the floor, and said truck constantly maintains a substantially horizontal position, both when the machine is operating and when it is not, and as the pivotally supported frame is mounted on the truck so as Y to be capable of a limited vertical oscillatory movement and is capable of assuming var1- ous angular positions relatively to said horizontal truck, there are certain important advantages attained by reason of this construction. When the machine is operating upon an irregular or rough floor, variations in the surface of the floor, over which the supporting wheels are rolling, and the consequent slight variations in weight due to changes in the center of 'ravity do not seriously affect the action of the tool upon the floor. The truck 1 is a stable base and allows the shortenin of the handle rod 38 for use in rooms of smal area, without in any way impairing the action of the tool upon the floor surface.

A modified form of my improved floordressing machine, but embodying the same mechanical principle, is shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the truck 42 is supported on the floor X by the two wheels 43, .43, at one end thereof and by the wheel 44, at the opposite end. The wheels 43 are revolubly mounted at the ends of an axle and the wheel 44 is revolubly mounted on the axle 46. The axles 45 and 46 are horizontal and parallel to each other. The upwardly extending side pieces 47 of the truck 42, one on each side of the truck, are each shaped in a concave are on the-upper edge. These side pieces are made with an arc-shaped groove 48 to form a cradle or bearing for supporting the motor 49 (Fig. 5). Ribs or runners 50, which are arc-shaped and extend 180 in length, rest in the groove 48 and furnish a bearing for the motor 49, so that the motor is capable of a limited vertical oscillatory movement. The motor 49 has the shaft 51, and the arc-shaped parts above mentioned are concentric with the shaft 51. The bearings for the motor and the runners 50 are parallel to each other and extend at right angles to the shaft 51 of the motor.

An arcuate plate 52 is fastened by screws 53 to each bearing or side plate 47 and completes the groove or channel 48, in which the runner 50' is supported. Each plate 52 has a central extension 54, in which is an arcshaped slot 55. On each side a screw 56 passes through the slot 55 and enters iil'l} runalso transversely slotted on its upper surface as shown at 59. A stop orblock 60 is also rigidly attached to the motor 49, so that its lower straight edge is in alinement with the upper straight edge of the bracket 58. A bar 61 extends through the longitudinal slot of the bracket 58 and beneath the stop block '69; and has a cross pin 62, which engages with the transverse slot 59 of the bracket 58.

The bar 61 has on its upper edge a number of equi-spaced notches 63. A sliding weight 64 has a slot 65, through which said bar extends loosely and also a cross pin 66. The weight 64 is movable along the bar 61 and the cross pin 66 secures the weight 64 in either one of the notches 63, which may be selected. The purpose of this wei hted arm 61 is to increase the pressure of the abrading tool upon the floor. It is shown and described as detachable, but if desired; it may be fixedin positions- A rheostat 67 is mounted on the frame of the motor 49 and is provided with wires, not shown, for supplying electrical energy in the usual manner.

A pulley 68 is mounted fast upon the motor shaft 51 a one end thereof, and a belt 69 connects the pulley 68 and the pulley 70 of the .tool shaft. The axles 45 and 46, the motor shaft 51 and the tool shaft are all horizontal and. parallel, the one to the others.

A bail 71 is pivoted at 72 to the truck 42 and has a central socket 73. A rod 7 4 fits in the socket 73 and carries at its outer end a cross head or handle 75..

A link bar 76 has longitudinal slots 77 and 78 and connects the motor 49 and rod 74. A bolt 79 is loosely inserted in the slot 77 of the link bar 76 and attaches said link bar to the lug 80 which is rigidly secured to the motor 49. The" opposite end of the link bar 76 is adjustably secured to the rod 74 by means of a bolt 81, which passes loosely through the slot 78 of said link bar and is supplied with washers and is held in its adjusted position by means of the thumb nut 82 and adapted to allow the bolt to pivot in the rod 74 and to prevent the link bar from sliding in the slot. The operation of this modified form of the machine is similar to that hereinbefore described. When the machine is at rest, the weighted handle lifts the tool f: om the floor by reason ofthe connection of the motor 49 &

and rod 74 by the link bar 76 and its adjustment. Thelink bar 76, when adjusted causes the abrading tool to come into contact with the floor surface or to be lifted out of such contact, according to the upward or downward movement of the' handle 75. When the tool is in full contact with the floor surface the handle is used sim ly for the pro- 'tally-revo pulsion of the machine and oes not otherwise affect its operation. By means of the weight 64 and its adjustable position on the notched bar 61, the pressure of the tool on the floor may be varied to any desired degree, within its capacity of gravitation.

It is obvious that there are various methods of pivotally supporting the motor and tool upon a stable base. The bearings may be on the hubs of the motor or at other points,- but any mode of so pivotally suspending a motor and abrading tool, having horizontal revoluble shafts, in a floor-dressing machine, is within the scope of my invention.

The pivotal suspension of the tool or roller upon a stable base is the chief feature in this as well as in the other forms of the machine hereinbefore described.

' I is evident that a machine of the type described may have a stable base supported on three or more points or wheels (three wheels, however, are preferable), but any floordressing machine having a base supported in a stable manner and adapted for propulsion over a floor surface and having supported thereon a horizontally revolving dressing tool, adapted for vertical movement in its progress over the floor surface, with a flexible connection between the base and tool adapted to permit the pressure of the tool upon the floor surface, while operating thereon, to be wholly controlled by the weight of thecoir ponent parts of the machine mounted between the support for the tool and the tool, is within the scope of my invention. So also is an y floor-dressing machine having a stable base, inde endent ol' the tool, and a horizonfiring tool adapted to follow continuously the contour of the floor surface, while acting thereon. It is evident that the rheostat may be mounted on the motor, or elsewhere on the machine, or mounted at a distance away from the machine.

In the foregoing description reference has been made only to motors energized from a source of supply external to the machine, but any form of motor is applicable to my said improved macl'iine, whether it receives energy from without, or its energy is con tained within said machine; and any means of operatively connecting the motor with the abrasive tool or roller for the purpose specifind is within the scope of my invention.

I claim as a novel and useful invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a stable base, a frame pivotally supported adjacent to one end thereof upon v the base, a dressing roller rotatably mounted on and adjacent to the opposite end of' said frame and adapted to contact directly with the floor surface during the operation of the machine, a motor operatively connected with the dressing roller, means for normally holding the dressing roller in said contact which means'are operated'in part by the weight of the motor, means for propelling said roller ,over the floor surface in said contact, and means for so supporting the motor" and dressing roller as to allow a vertical movement of the dressing roller in its travel over the floor surface, which vertical movement of said roller is at variance with the vertical movement ofthe motor..

2. In a floor-dressing machine, the comb. nation of a stable base, a frame pivotal mounted on said base, a motor on the frame, a dressing roller mounted rotatably in the frame and adapted to contact with the floor surface during the operation of the machine and operatively connected with the motor, means for propelling the roller along the floor surface, means for supporting the motor and roller, and pivotally supported means for utilizing the weight of the motor.

to hold normally the roller in such contact with the floor surface during the operation of the machine adaptingthe roller to a verble connection between said supporting means and the rollerfor permitting a vertical movement of the roller in its progress along the floor surface differing from the vertical movement of said supporting means, and means for utilizing the weight of the motor to hold normally the roller in such contact with the floor surface during its said progress.

4. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a truck, a stable support for the truck upon the floor surface, a frame supported on the truck, a dressing roller mounted rotatably in the frame and engageable with the floor surface, a motor on said frame, flexible connecting means between the truck and. the frame adapted to allow the roller to be normally depressed .into contact with the floor solely by gravity of the weight of the frame and the component parts of the 1 end of the frame and machine mounted thereon or forming a part thereof; means for energizing the motor; means for rotating the roller from the motor; means for propelling the roller along the floor surface; and means so adapted that the pressure of the roller upon the fioor is uniform, throughout its contact therewith, in dependent of variations in the propelling force.

5. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a stably supported truck, a frame pivotally supported at one end upon the truck, a dressing roller rotatably mounted at the free end of said frame and adapted when in contact with the floor surface to support the free end of the frame, a motor on the frame adapted normally to depress floor and also by its Weight normally to raise the roller up out of contact with the floor and also when elevated by the operator to move out of contact with said frame and therebyto allow the roller to descend into contactwith the floor as aforesaid.

6 In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a stably supported truck, a frame pivotally supported at one end upon the truck, a dressing roller rotatably mounted at the free end of said frame, a motor on the frame and adapted normally to depress the free end of the frame and so to move the roller into contact with the floor, means operated by the motor to rotate the roller, and means for adjusting the component parts ofthe .Aachine mounted on said frame to vary at will the pressure of the roller upon the floor.

7. In a floor dressing machine, the combination of a stably supported truck, a frame pivotally supported at one end upon the truck, a dressing roller rotatably mounted at the free end of theframe, a motor on the frame and adapted normally to depress the 'free end of the frame and so to move the roller truck, a dressing roller rotatably mounted. at the free end of the frame, a motor on the frame adapted normally to depress the free so to move the roller into contact with the floor, means operated by the motor to rotate the roller, and means of so adjusting the relations ofthe roller and truck as to vary at will the pressure of the roller upon the floor.

9. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a frame made in two sections, a plurality of wheels supporting the outer end of one of said sections and in rolling contact with the floor, a rotatably mounted dressing roller in contact with the floor and supporting the outer end of the other of said sections, a pivotal connection between said two sections capable of allowing the vertical movements of one of said sections to be different from the vertical movements of the other of said sections, a motor mounted on one of said sections in a position intermediate the dressing roller and said pivotal connection, means for adjusting the said component parts of the machine to vary at will the pressure of the roller upon the floor surface, means of energizing the motor, means operated by the motor to rotate the roller, and means-of ropelling and guiding the roller over the cor surface comprising a handle which is also adapted to control the roller and to bring it into and out of contact with. the floor surface and which handle is so arranged and constructed that it normally holds the roller out of contact with the floor surface, while the machine is inoperative but is free of pressure on the roller while the machine is operating.

10. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a frame made in two sections, a plurality of Wheels supporting the outer end of one of said sections'and in rolling contact with the floor, a rotatably mounted dressing roller in contact with the floor and supporting the outer end of the other of said sections, and a pivotal connection between said two sections capable of allowing a difference in vertical movement in said two sections.

-1 1. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a frame pivotally suspended near one end thereof upon a stable support, a horizontal dressing roller rotatably mounted in the frame at the opposite end thereof and serving as a support of the frame at said end, the said component parts being so assembled that in the progress of the'machine over the floor surface'the dressing roller maintains a continuous and direct contact with the surface wholly by gravity, and means for ad'- justingsaid component parts or any of them so as toconcentrate weight on the dressing roller to any desired degree of pressure at Wilha motor on the frame, means of energizing the'motor, and means operated by the motor to rotate the roller.

12. .In a floor-dressing machine,the combination of a truck, a frame mounted on said truckv and capable of an oscillating-movement thereon, a motor mounted on said frame and having a revoluble shaft, a pulley on said shaft, horns projecting from the frame, a shaft rotatably mounted at the outer ends of said horns, a pulley on the last named shaft, a dressing roller on'the last named shaft, a belt passing over said two pulleys, and means for adjusting the position of the frame and the motor thereon in their relation. to the truck and thereby adjusting the pressure of the roller on the floor surface. 13. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a truck, a frame pivotally mounted on the truck and capable'of a vertical movement, a dressing roller mounted in said frame and adapted to engage with a floor surface, a handle having a bail with two curved upward ends and pivotally mounted on the truck at two opposite sides in such position that the inner ends of the bail normally press upward against the lower edges or sides of the frame and are adapted to elevatc the forward end of the frame and there.

by to lift the roller from the floor when the outer end of the handle is depressed and to lower the forward end of the frame and thereby to move the roller downward into contact with the floor when the handle is raised.

1.4. In a'floor-d1'essi11g machine, the combination of a truck, a frame mounted onthe truck, a dressing roller mounted in the frame at the forward end thereof, and capable of contact with a floor surface, and a weighted handle pivotally .mounted upon the truck and so constructed and arranged that when the machine is at rest it is in equilibrium with the dressing roller elevated by the weight of the handle to a position out of contact with the floor.

15. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a truck having two upwardly extending parallel sides, a shaft mounted in said two side pieces having ends which are adapted to serve as trunnions, a frame mounted above said truck and supported. on the rear end upon said trunnions as a pivot, straps mounted on the sides of the frame and each having an. opening through which said trunnions project, a dressing roller mounted in said frame and supporting the same at its forward end, a sleeve surrmlnding said shaft at the center thereof, a tapped block upon said sleeve, a screw passing at its shank through the rear end of the frame, and extending through the block in threaded engagement therewith and means to confine said screw to a rotary movement only so as to slide the frame along the shaft in the slots or openings of said straps.

16. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a truck, a pivot shaftloosely mounted on said truck in two 0 posite mortises thereof, a frame resting at t 1e rear end. thereof on said iv'ot shaft, a dressing roller mounted in sai frame and supporting the forward end of the frame and a screw adapted to slide said frame on said pivot shaft along said mortises to a predetermined extent to vary the position of the frame on the pivotal bearing of the truck.

17. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a truck, a pivot shaft loosely mounted on said truck in two opposite mortises thereof, a frame resting at its rear I end. on said pivot shaft, a dressing roller mounted in said frame and supporting the forward end of the frame, and means adapted to vary at will the position of said pivot shaft in said mortises.

18. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a truck, a pivotally supported frame mounted on said truck and capable of a vertical movement on its pivotal supports, a dressing roller rotatably mounted in said frame and movable by said frame to and from the floor. surface, an arm carried by the frame and projecting from the forward end thereof over the roller, and a weight adjustably secured onsaid arm to vary the pressure of the roller upon the floor surface.

19. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a truck, a frame carried by the truck and capable of a limited vertical oscillation thereon, a dressing roller rotatably mounted on said frame, a handle pivotally connected with the truck, and means extending from the handle adapted to contact at its end loosely with the frame and to give said vertical oscillation to the frai'ne.

20. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a stably supported truck adapted to be ropelled over the floor surface in con tact tlierewith, a frame pivotally supported adjacent to one end thereof upon the truck, a horizontally revoluble dressing roller mounted in the frame adjacent to the oppositeend thereof, the last mentioned end of the frame adapted to rise and fall in a vertical direction and swinging freely on its pivotal connection operatively connected with the dressin tool.

and apiv0tal connection between the rame and base so adapted that the ressure of the tool on the floor surface, w rile operating thereon, is wholly controlled by theweight of the suspended frame and the parts of the machine mounted thereon or forming a part thereof.

22..In a fioor-dressingmachine thecombination of a stably supported base in rolling volve the tool, means of propelling the maeonta-ct with the floor, a frame suspended Wei ht of the suspended frame and the parts 1 upon the base, a revoluhle dressing tool of the machine mounted thereon or forming mounted in bearings in the frame, a motor i a part thereof.

operativeiy connected with the tool to re- In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence oi two Witnesses. chine along the floor surface and the machine GEORGE FREDERIC HALL.

so assembled that when the tool is operatively Witnesses engaged with the floor the pressure there- EDGAR L. BOWEN, on 1s maintained wholly by gravity of the BENJ. A. ARMSTRONG 

